Localdentists are essential volunteersfor our programsand many of them have been providing dental screenings for area students since 1993!Many of the talented and generous dentistslistedbelowvolunteerat the more than 50screenings a year our program provides.

The Greater Derry Oral Health Collaborative Corporation (GDOHCC) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization formed in July 2006. GDOHCC operates two programs - the Children's Dental Network and the Salem Childrens Dental Network. Both programs are collaborative efforts of the public schools, area dentists, parents and the funding organizations. Read a 2013 article about GDOHCC inAccessstarting on page 20.

The mission of the Greater Derry Oral Health Collaborative Corporation (GDOHCC) is to improve oral health of children in the Greater Derry and Salem areas through education, delivery of services and facilitation of improved access to oral health services.

In 1992, the Alexander Eastman Foundation convened a workgroup of dentists, school nurses and principals to develop a school-based dental program. The resulting program operated from 1993 -2006 as the Alexander Eastman Foundation School Dental Program with Alexander Eastman Foundation funds that were administered by the Londonderry School District. When the non-profit GDOHCC was formed, services and funding remained the same under the trade name Childrens Dental Network. The Alexander Eastman Foundation funds can serve only residents of Derry, Londonderry, Chester, Hampstead, Sandown and Windham.

In 2007-2008, a pilot program was delivered at the Lancaster School in Salem with funding from Salem Community Benefit, Inc. and New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The successful pilot grew into the Salem Childrens Dental Network which operates in the Salem elementary schools, Woodbury Middle School and Salem High School with contributionsfrom Salem School District, PTAs, Salem Rotary Club,Salem Lions Club, Salem Kiwanis Club, Salem Exchange Cluband other local supporters.

Jim was appointed Executive Director in November of 2015 and serves the CDN in a part time capacity. Jim is a native of Norwich, CT and has spent his career in the not-for-profit arena. He currently resides with his wife Kathie in Newbury, MA.Jim served as Executive Director of the Eighth District Dental Society in Buffalo, NY for many years and in April 2015 he retired from the position of Executive Director of the New Hampshire Dental Society after serving in that capacity since 2002. Jim brings to our program a wealth of experience in not-for-profit management, a thorough understanding of dentistry and a long list of contacts and resources in New Hampshire and nationally that will help us improve our program.

Dianne has been working with CDN since 2000. In addition to providing students with preventive services and delivering our oral health education program, Dianne directs Children's Dental Network. Each year, she is welcomed by teachers into their classrooms to teach students about the importance oral health and its connection to overall health. Dianne brings extensive private practice experience to our program, including eight years in a pediatric dental office. Her love of children anddedication to working for their benefit in a public health setting makes her very popular in our schools. In September 2014, Dianne became a NH Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist.

Debra Grochmal Debra Grochmal is an enthusiastic team member working as a dental assistant to help us be as efficient as possible. Debi has many years of experience in dental assisting in private practices prior to joining CDN. Her duties include maintaining optimal infection control practices and inventory management.

Laura GalvinLaura, our Office Manager, joined the CDN Team in August 2014. She coordinates administrative duties including processing student records, tracking data, payroll and maintains all program business matters.

Rachel J. Polgrean, DDS, MSD - GDOHCC Supervising DentistLaura Walker, RN - GDOHCC PresidentCyrilla Lombardi, DMD GDOHCC Vice PresidentSue Linehan, RN - GDOHCC SecretaryMartha L. Smith, JD - GDOHCC Treasurer